For those of you that don’t already know..........every single snap on this website is taken from one place -

our garden in Above Town, Dartmouth, Devon, England

Saturday October 19th 2024 11.30pm

The burning question of the moment.....why the superyacht invasion ?

Stacks of new pix here on the front page, but dozens more inside the October album.

Start here, then click any October pic and head off to see hundreds more.

And plenty more to see from earlier in the month, and check out the entire September album.

Do also look inside the January, February, March, April, May, June, July and August albums.

TVFTDO is a unique record of life in, on, around and above the wonderful river Dart.

See all of last years albums here.

You can also take a look at The Pick of TVFTDO.

PREVIOUSLY ON www.TVFTDO.com

06 September 2024 - 08:39:09

Mist at sunrise always produces some sort of pic.

And this day was one of the best.

10 September 2024 - 11:52:46

Down at Noss on Dart (or upriver at Noss on Dart if you prefer) the concrete pump has been doing overtime to get the new hotel out of the ground.

14 September 2024 - 00:03:24

At night, the sight of Noss on Dart is all a little bit spooky.

14 September 2024 - 19:01:29

He's over two kilometres from the camera, so don't expect to recognise him.

Strange spot to see a fisherman though. Go inside the September album if you want to know exactly where he is.

06 September 2024 - 07:31:53

An hour earlier though, it didn't look too promising.

In fact it was hard to see at anything at all.

11 September 2024 - 17:04:43

TS Royalist came in for an overnight visit. The first for quite a while (that I know of).

That's a proud crew on the foredeck.

11 September 2024 - 22:19:40

Did I mention that the TS Royalist overnighted.

12 September 2024 - 22:37:53

Not many 'ordinary' yachts have underwater lights.

This craft, likely called Curious Journey was moored way up by the Higher Ferry.

Not the best spot from which to shout "Look at me"!

15 September 2024 - 14:36:16

St Thomas's church at Kingswear was having three new bells delivered by steam loco. In my innocence I assumed they would be on display on the back of an open top wagon. No such luck, they arrived in an ordinary passenger carriage. My only shot was this group of people gathered on the platform to welcome their arrival.

09 September 2024 - 19:12:11

After ignoring it for a few months, the seals have started to once again use their special pontoon.

Mind you, one bull seal has been hogging the place and doesnt take kindly to interlopers.

09 September 2024 - 19:21:37

At times they were queuing up to take a nap.

12 September 2024 - 12:02:50

Have digger - might topple.

12 September 2024 - 11:50:30

Have digger - will travel.

13 September 2024 - 06:55:56

Methinks that down on the visitor's pontoon someone was lurking with intent.

14 September 2024 - 21:53:17

Even during Regatta, the full illuminations weren't giving a complete showing.

On Saturday night though all the switches were on.

22 September 2024 - 18:11:35

A remarkable operation took place on Sunday afternoon, with staff and volunteers from a whole host of organisation worked together to save the life of a man with severe burns. Following a fire on board a fishing vessel the cassualty was carried to harbour by the crew of a nearby day fishing boat. A Coastguard helicopter dropped their winchman aboard we helped treat the injured man whilst the Dart Atlantic class lifeboat escorted the craft in to Dartmouth followed by the Coastguard Sikorsky chopper. Torbay's lifeboat stayed out assisting the vessel that had caught fire.

Many more pix inside the September album, click the pic.

22 September 2024 - 17:32:55

After circling the town for a while the Coastguard pilot set his craft down in a field above Hoodown to await the return of his winchman.

Those contrails are a wonder.

22 September 2024 - 17:16:51

As the Dart RNLI lifeboat led the casulaty vessel into the river, the Coastgaurd helicopter followed behind.

Many more pix inside the September album, click the pic.

22 September 2024 - 17:54:35

One of the Devon Air Ambulance helicopters arrived and landed at Coronation Park

22 September 2024 - 17:56:11

The Coronation Park landing zone in Dartmouth is really a pretty open space. It just doesn't look that way from our house.

Kudos to everyone involved.

There are many more photos of the incident inside the September album. Just click the pic.

23 September 2024 - 22:32:57

An overnight visit from the Royal Navy's experimental rtest bed, the XV Patrick Blackett.

It's a return visit and as per usual I took a night time shot as you see here.

The wonders of modern cameras though are what let you see the craft.

See below

23 September 2024 - 22:37:45

This was what I could actually see with the naked eye.

23 September 2024 - 16:18:58

A similar effect, but not down to digital camera technology.....this is the view of the bridge when the XV Patrick Blackett sailed in.

It's not HMS Patrick Blackett - the ship is non-commissioned. I'll assume the XV stands for Experimental Vessel.

24 September 2024 - 09:16:18

And this was the view going out. Hey presto. (I think it's down to the angle of the glass).

17 September 2024 - 19:40:24

A moonrise. No, a Supermoonrise. No, a Harvest Supermoonrise.

18 September 2024 - 12:53:10

There is so much construction going on, it's hard to keep up with it.

My guess? It's drilling for a heat source pump over in Kingswear.

19 September 2024 - 13:45:27

Yet another lifeboat shout. They are shifting past me at this point, on their way to the mission.

Whilst the pilot aims, the crew take down the details from the radio.

18 September 2024 - 14:37:34

Meanwhile, the farming year continues relentlessly.

Not sure of the crop, but this is a Class Lexion 630 combine harvester, made in Harsewinkel in Germany.

It's working the field below the Daymark.

But really I just wanted to use that town's name in the caption. Harsewinkel.

06 October 2024 - 08:42:57

Somebody's Sunday has not started well. This yacht sunk overnight on one of the deep water pontoons.

A few hours after this it was completely submerged.

No RNLI Lifebout callout during the night so hopefully no injuries.

06 October 2024 - 08:16:51

Meanwhile down at the RDYC seal sanctuary pontoon a line has come unfixed giving this chap the option of a stay aboard a nice yacht.

03 October 2024 - 07:39:36

It's that time of year again when the sun rises immediately behind the Daymark - as viewed from The Dartmouth Office.

This was shot at 100ASA, at 1/8000th of a second at f29 with a four times neutral density filter.

And still the shot was overexposed.

But see the next pic, taken a day later.

04 October 2024 - 07:38:04

What a difference a day makes.

The sun has moved almost exactly one of its own width in one day.

01 October 2024 - 15:10:13

One of the largest craft that pass the end of the river. This is One Inspiraion, it's classified as a Post Suezmax vessel and is therefore 400 metres long and 61 metres wide. By my reckoning it's footprint could fit in the river, but those top containers are 40 metres above sea level.

No doubt about it, it would spoil the view.

But in this pic, perhaps you might want to look elsewhere other than at the ship..............

01 October 2024 - 15:05:26

............I guess they themselves might not actually be looking at One Inspiration.

27 September 2024 - 17:19:34

A hen party ? Was someone expecting a river cruise ?

On the Lower Ferry?

29 September 2024 - 10:22:35

Last weekend's storm gave the two RNLI lifeboat crews a chance for some heavy weather training.

This is the bigger B Class boat.

29 September 2024 - 10:22:36

Safe to say, the crew were getting wet.

More pix inside, click the pic.

29 September 2024 - 09:30:00

Spare a thought for the crew of the smaller D-Class Inshore Lifeboat.

It was tough in the troughs.

04 October 2024 - 11:50:17

Kingswear Construction.

So, so much construction on both riverbanks. Over at Inverdart Boathouse they are executing a major concrete pour into the 'harbour'.

Where is the concrete coming from, you ask?

04 October 2024 - 11:50:17

The concrete is coming from up on the top left of the pic. You should be able to see two concrete lorries dishing out their muck.

Gravity fed, maybe?

01 October 2024 - 08:26:26

Up at Noss, the hotel and apartments are progressing.

The early morning light has caught the arm of a concrete pump feeding its load to the upper floors (behind the trees).

Definitely not gravity fed.

02 October 2024 - 12:00:06

  Even a big hulk like Hercules needs some tlc.

And a good bottom scrape.

24 September 2024 - 16:11:07

Not a great deal of air activity recently, but this wonderful two seater Spitfire G-ILDA did just one flypast whilst offering flights from Dunkeswell.

05 October 2024 - 10:10:24

Up at Hillhead, the farmer is planting seeds. And don't the birds know it.

04 October 2024 - 14:14:49

A rare but very welcome sight.

Three of the BRNC Contessa 32 yachts, Seahorse, Unicorn and Martlet all sailed into the river and up to Sandquay.

They were passed at one point by the fourth boat, Galahad. But he was cheating.

You can see that pic inside. Just click the pic.

27 September 2024 - 08:35:21

The main part of the season over, time for seasonal maintenance on the railway.

No jokes about how many sleepers are there in the pic.

29 September 2024 - 11:06:40

Our weather forecasts are getting better and better.

But it's hard to beat these beasts. They know their rain.

26 September 2024 - 16:06:01

Talking of weather, at Inverdart, the project hut has been strapped down.

Probably a wise move.

27 September 2024 - 17:18:36

Border Force cutter HMC Vigilant popped in. And lassoed a Dart Harbour person.

26 September 2024 - 18:37:51

About time we had a rainbow.

03 October 2024 - 08:43:53

It's that time when the various pontoons head for winter quarters in Waterhead Creek.

You would think that no one would get upset about it.

Read on.......

28 September 2024 - 09:13:28

Here's five residents who were likely not best pleased to have their home repossessed.

Loads more seal pix inside both September and October albums.

06 October 2024 - 20:04:57

A surprise arrival in the harbour tonight. Well, a surprise to me.

Superyacht Akula, launched only in June. The 60 metre craft is described as an 'Expedition Superyacht" with ice classification. That means it can go to the Artic or Antartica without getting nervous. And no, I do not know who owns it.

Loads more pix inside including its arrival in daylight.

07 October 2024 - 15:23:11

As you'll know ('cus you've been reading this website) a yacht sank in the harbour over the weekend. There's a pic further down the page.

It's no easy operation to raise such a stricken vessel and as you can see involved a fair few folk including two divers - one in the water and one in reserve. The boat was finally lifted Tuesday morning. I'd love to show you the operation but....I was having my Covid jab.

08 October 2024 - 13:09:29

No sooner had the hard working Dart Harbour crew resolved the sunken boat issue they had to deal with the sunken pontoon issue.

The green pontoons on the North Embankment had suffered damaged in the weekend weather.ie, started to sink.

So off they were taken for repairs / replacement.

07 October 2024 - 08:53:44

Meanwhile, in the middle of the river expedition superyacht Akula continues its stay.

I think most are agreed, it is not the prettiest boat on the water. But at least it has a purpose.

Shame we couldn't conjure up some better weather for the passengers and crew.

07 October 2024 - 11:04:34

And then on Monday, the Akula's 'Dead Fred", their man overboard dummy made a bid for freedom.

No one seemed too perturbed and after a while the tender came out to collect. Read on.

07 October 2024 - 11:08:31

At one stage it looked like there might be a real man overboard situation as the tender crew , that is, the crew of the tender, went to grab Dead Fred.

07 October 2024 - 16:50:07

We have been hearing some very load rustling in the ceiling above our kitchen.

This chap was scurrying around the garden looking like butter wouldn't melt.

My money's on him.

09 October 2024 - 12:06:14

Just as we start to get better weather Akula up sticks and skidaddles off. To Plymouth of all places.

No wonder it's called an expedition superyacht. It'll need to be down there.

Plenty more pix of its departure - all inside the October album. Just click the pic.

09 October 2024 - 10:29:17

Superyacht Akula was preparing to leave Dartmouth when the boat received a military flypast from an RAF Atlas.

Not the greatest quality snap, shot from our upstairs on an iPhone through glass.

Still, better than nothing.

13 October 2024 - 11:20:42

Straight from the shipyard where it was built in Vlissingen, Netherlands comes superyacht 21.12, all 60 metres of it.

According to a post from Ribeye, the ship has come here to collect two Ribeye tenders.

Masses more photos of the arrival of 21.12 into Dartmouth in the October album. Just click the pic.

13 October 2024 - 11:15:47

On its way into Dartmouth, 21.12 passed the rather beautiful Cynthia.

One of them has bragging rights. I'll let you decide which one.

13 October 2024 - 11:21:24

No idea if these are owners, friends, crew, hangers on or whatever.

I can tell you they liked the look of Dartmouth.

13 October 2024 - 12:49:47

The ship already has at least one tender, seen here being launched.

Very neatly marked up as belonging to 21.12 but is it a Ribeye rib?

13 October 2024 - 11:23:09

21.12 also passed tug CMS Thunderer which has been in town for a couple of days.

10 October 2024 - 19:02:13

Always good to have a display of something in the middle of the river. Tug Thunderer does not disappoint.

10 October 2024 - 14:44:24

A close up of Tug Thunderer reveals these fire hoses.

I woiuld love to be able to show you a pic of them in action.

But I missed Saturday mornings display, look for it on Facebook. Very impressive.

10 October 2024 - 09:39:40

In other news, Inverdart Boathouse was getting a delivery of toiletries.

In this case a supersize porta-potty.

10 October 2024 - 09:49:32

You probably guessed that this isn't a porta-potty. It's really a Kingspan Klargester wastewater treatment plant.

So porta-potty isn't too far from the truth.

10 October 2024 - 09:49:32

Saturday night's alright for farming sang Elton John.

Well, it's close enough.

13 October 2024 - 09:00:41

The swan family has grown.

12 October 2024 - 16:29:59

And my ,the seals have grown.

This large fella amused a few folk on Saturday, he chose a rib in preference to the provided seal pontoon just thirty yards away.

Luckily he didn't have access to the keys.

11 October 2024 - 22:48:55

This streak is a P&O cruise liner Arvia heading for Southampton.

But it is 48 kilometres away and should not be visible. How does that work?

Well Google an image of the ship. And just see how how many decks it's got.

13 October 2024 - 20:17:57

It wouldn't be The View From The Dartmouth Office without a night shot of a superyacht.

And here, for an added bonus alll it up is powerful tug CMS Thunderer alongside luxury craft 21.12.

15 October 2024 - 00:10:05

It's a bit unfair on tug Thunderer, but finally tide and wind conspired to move the two ships apart and so a night shot of

superyacht 21.12 on its own sat serenly in the middle of the river Dart at Dartmouth was finally possible.

Plenty more pix of 21.12 along with all the day to day goings-on on the river Dart. Click the pic to look inside the October album.

18 October 2024 - 06:27:24

Superyacht 21.12 departed this morning, but that was after I took this ethereal shot of low cloud over the yacht with tug CMS Thunderer alongside.

Eight more variations on this pic inside the October album. I simply couldn't decide which was best.

Although they were edited down from the three dozen I took.

18 October 2024 - 08:24:53

And here is 21.12 departing. Complete with underwater lights still turned on.

Many more pix of its leaving to be found inside the October album. Just click the pic.

They do say "one out, one in". So maybe, just maybe, something else could fill that empty space in the river?

Watch THIS space. (UPDATE: See Above!)

18 October 2024 - 14:46:25

Obviously nowhere near as close as it might look. But I suspect there were concerns about all that form filling had they been too close.

Anyway, for the record here is Dartmouth tour boat Dart Explorer welcoming expedition superyacht Akula back to the river Dart.

Lots more pix inside the October album. Just click the pic.

18 October 2024 - 17:01:05

Just over two hours later, Akula was followed in by the even bigger superyacht New Secret

As before, there are lots more pix inside the October album. Just click the pic.

18 October 2024 - 22:46:51

Hoping for some nice underwater light pix, but it wasn't to be.

Power tug Thunderer is hidden behind New Secret which is a photographic blessing as its deck lights are overpowering.

But then, it is a power tug.

19 October 2024 - 23:15:08

Compare this pic to the one four shots below. Taken a a day apart, but this time superyacht New Secret had turned its underwater lights on.

Makes all the difference.

Mind you, it does look like a bulb has gone. How many divers does it take to change a lightbulb ?

Lots more pix inside the October album. Just click the pic.

19 October 2024 - 19:29:13

The harbour was ablaze. Well not literally, but the fleet was all lit up. And all under the moon rising over Kingswear.

Many more pix inside the October album. Just click the pic.